The Algiers Charter School Association board of trustees on Thursday voted unanimously to approve extending the contract of its interim chief executive, Adrian Morgan.

Morgan, who will lose the “interim” from his title, has worked with ACSA since August, when former leader Andrea Thomas-Reynolds opted not to renew her contract. Morgan’s contract extends through the end of June 2014 with the option to extend further at that time.

“I am honored to have been chosen by the board and greatly appreciate this vote of confidence. It is my hope that this announcement will provide additional assurance and stability to the ACSA staff and community,” Morgan said in a written statement.

The decision comes on the heels of a positive performance review from teachers, support staff and other employees in the six schools ACSA governs.

An email survey sent to 622 employees resulted in 352 responses. Of them, 85 percent said they thought Morgan has “done a good job” in his time with the organization. Eighty percent agreed that he was responsive to the needs of the organization’s schools, and 73 percent felt he engages with the Algiers community.

After receiving those survey results, the board in January agreed to enter contract negotiations with Morgan.

Many familiar faces from the community were present at Thursday’s meeting to discuss an update on the merger between O. Perry Walker and L.B. Landry high schools.

“The Landry merger is moving forward but it’s not done…If you do have any power you’re not showing it and then you are part of the problem,” said Rev. Raynard Casimier of the Love Outreach Church in Algiers, referencing a hope within community leaders that the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education board may halt a decision that ACSA has not.

Former Landry football coach Derek “Skip” LaMothe announced a public meeting with BESE leaders on March 13 to be held at the Behrman Gym on Gen. Meyer Ave. at 6:00 p.m. The meeting aims to give community members the chance to speak directly to BESE members about their concerns over the merger.

The board also approved a change of signatory authority for the organization’s credit cards, shifting the responsibility from controller Renae Montegut who stepped down this week to Chief Financial Officer Charlie Mackles. Additionally, the organization agreed to a three year contract with the company that already does its financial audits, Hienz & Macaluso.

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I was proud that, as the most recent school performance scores were released, the state honored Harriet Tubman Charter School for both “equity” in its admissions practices and for achieving “top gains” in its academic performance. The twin designations mean that Tubman students of all ethnicities, economic backgrounds, and special-need status are making strong academic gains at the same rate.